Streamlining Engine Parts Procurement in Agricultural Machinery:
Integrating ECRS and Digital Lean
Concepts in Thailand's Industry
Supanida Auesiritrakul, Panutporn Ruangchoengchum
This research primarily investigates the causal factors of waste resulting from delays in the parts procurement process for medium-sized engine manufacturers in Thailand and seeks to develop guidelines for reducing such waste by applying the ECRS (Eliminate, Combine, Rearrange, Simplify) and digital lean concepts. Utilizing a mixed-methods research design with a deductive approach, the study explored the procurement processes of engine parts for agricultural machinery. A purposive sample of 160 participants involved in the procurement process from the Eastern Region of Thailand was carefully selected to ensure robust model validation through Multiple Regression analysis. The methodology encompassed quantitative methods utilizing a structured questionnaire developed from existing literature on procurement waste. This was complemented by qualitative methods, including direct observations timed with a stopwatch and in-depth interviews with key informants. The study revealed significant inefficiencies within the procurement process, notably prolonged lead times which were successfully reduced from 342.49 minutes to 280.69 minutes per order, thereby achieving a daily time saving of 518 minutes. The improvements were realized through strategic waste elimination and process optimization, incorporating Lean principles and ECRS strategies. These strategies not only simplified the procurement steps but also effectively addressed and eliminated the cumbersome and slow approval processes that had previously involved multiple approvers and extensive approval times. This research demonstrates the effectiveness of applying Lean management principles and digital technologies to enhance procurement efficiency. The significant reductions in waste and lead time underscore the direct benefits of these approaches, highlighting their potential for broader application across various sectors to optimize business operations.
Keywords: ECRS, Procurement, Digital lean, Agricultural machinery, Thailand
